Trevor Jackson
IT is almost that time of year when the Valley Lakes precinct erupts with the roar of race engines as the annual Legend of the Lakes hill climb events hits town on November 11, 12 and 13.
After two years of Covid-affected events, this year will see the biggest field in the 17-year history of the hill climb, with a bumper 90-car entry list for the Friday and 150 starters for the Saturday and Sunday.
The list includes current “Legend” Dan Day with his wild Subaru WRX, along with former title holder Kevin Mackrell, who have missed the last two years due to Covid border closures.
Both have made several improvements to their cars, which adds up to an exciting weekend for the outright honours.
Day currently holds the record for quickest time up the hill, with a blistering 49.89 seconds, which he has not been able to break.
By all accounts the time is on the edge of how fast the course can be traversed, but that will not stop Day, or anyone else, from attempting to lower it further.
Day has further incentive to not only set a fast time, but to win the event, which would be his seventh in a row, equal to Peter Gazzard’s long-standing record.
The event, run by the South Eastern Automobile Club, was the brain child of Lionel Stingers, which he saw come to fruition before his passing.
Since then the running has been taken over by long-time club members, including clerk of course Kevin Raedel and assistant clerk of course Peter Lock.
Raedel said all was looking good to put on an exceptional event, albeit with some compromises to include such a large field.
“It is the biggest field we have ever had really,” he said.
“We have over 30 reserves for Saturday and Sunday and we will try to run 90 cars on Friday instead of 75.
“It might be a bit slower but it should go well.
“We will then have 150 starters for Saturday and Sunday – last year we had 145 entries and started with 132.”
Lock said the club always looked to include as many runs up the hill per competitor, which set the event apart from other similar hill climbs around the country.
“I think we have more runs traditionally than most other hill climbs,” he said.
“Some will pull the pin at three or four, but we are disappointed with only five.
“If everybody plays nice we will be right.”
A new challenger for the outright honours has also emerged, with Adelaide driver and engine tuner Doug Johnson ready to take on the likes of crowd favourites Day and Mackrell.
“Doug Johnson has a two-door GC8 WRX,” Raedel said.
“He won the Port MacDonnell hill climb and has come back for Legends.
“He will be fast.
“Track knowledge could hurt him a bit, but by Sunday he should be right.”
Of course the focus is not just on the outright victory, but also the class battles throughout the field.
A wide range of categories ensure many vehicles are catered for by all levels of driver and machine.
A popular category is the Group N, which includes some classic vehicles such as older GT Falcons, Mini Coopers, Toranas and the like.
Lock pushes his Mini up the hill each year, but concedes he is not in the running for outright honours.
That goes to one particular GT Falcon.
“There is one GT in particular I can’t beat,” he said.
“The other one I can beat, but not (Rob) Vanderkamp.
“He is head and shoulders above the rest of the class.
“We all fight for second spot … he is unbelievably quick.
“I watched him around Mallala a lot of years ago and he is the same there.
“He just makes other GTs look like learners.”
Vanderkamp, like many other entrants, has attended every running of the hill climb, creating a strong following from the Limestone Coast supporters.
A large contingent of Subarus and Mitsubishi Evos will be present, along with various other more exotic vehicles, such as Porsches, Lamborghinis and the like.
This year the live streaming will continue, bigger and better than before, so while there will be no big screens around the venue, spectators can keep up to date with everything in real time, including split times up the course.
Busses have also returned, with spectators able to head down to the bottom of the course between runs to take in the entire atmosphere of the event.
“We really want to get the spectators down the bottom to soak up the atmosphere,’ Raedel said.
“We haven’t had people down there for two years now, but this year there will be plenty of catering at the top and bottom of the course.
“People can walk through the pits, chat to the drivers and see all the cars.
“They can watch the start line and enjoy some static displays.”
The size of the field this year could be attributed to the lack of Covid restrictions now in place around the country.
The Victorians were shut down for a long time through the pandemic and missed a lot of racing.
Now that has all changed, the numbers have again swelled, but also the financial support for the event.
“It the biggest ever sponsor list we have had in 17 years,” Raedel said.
“They are mainly locals and a few from Adelaide starting to chip in.
“It is pleasing to see so many sponsors jump on board.”
There will be no event at the Rail Lands on the Thursday prior to the hill climb, but the organisers hope to have a welcome at the Valley Lakes instead.
Entry for Saturday and Sunday is just $10, with Under 16s free, so it is well worth heading up to the Lakes to see what all the hype is about.
